Donizetti’s “Maria Stuarda” is one of the prima donna assoluta roles in the repertoire and one of the most difficult in Bel Canto. This week Marina Rebeka continues her exploration into this repertoire as she makes her stage role of the opera debut at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma.

Earlier in January, the soprano made her role debut in a concert performance at the Latvian National Opera. The opera was broadcast worldwide and while it was only a concert performance, it was evident that the soprano had command over the role and style of this repertoire.

Having triumphed in that initial concert, this week Rome audiences will finally get the complete depiction of her Maria Stuarda. Rebeka is not only a wonderful vocalist but she is a consummate actress who delves profoundly into her characters. Expect this Stuarda to be a highlight of the season.

Carmela Remigio and Paolo Fanale round out the cast lead by Paolo Arrivabeni in the pit.

Rebeka is a rising star who has become a critical favorite in every major theater in the world. Her repertoire is diverse and includes works by Verdi, Bellini, Donizetti, Rossini, Bizet, and Gounod. Among her greatest triumphs have been Verdi’s “La Traviata,” which she has performed extensively in New York, Valencia, Latvia, and Vienna. She is scheduled to bring it to Paris in 2018.

Rebeka is scheduled to bring her first Donna Elvira in “Don Giovanni” to the Metropolitan Opera this spring and will also make her Met role debut in Bellini’s “Norma” in the fall. She will also sing Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers” at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2018.

Recordings

For audiences not familiar with Rebeka’s voice, the soprano has three recordings available. The soprano recorded a solo album for Warner Classics entitled “Mozart Arias” and features works from “Le Nozze di Figaro” and “Don Giovanni.” She also has Rossini’s “Petit Messe Solennelle” with Antonio Pappano for Warner Classics. Finally, she is on the DVD for Rossini’s “Guillaume Tell” with Juan Diego Florez. It is a role which she recently retired at the Metropolitan Opera after yet another triumph.

About the Author

FRANCISCO SALAZAR, (Publisher) worked as a reporter for Latin Post where he has had the privilege of interviewing numerous opera stars including Anita Rachvelshvili and Ailyn Perez. He also worked as an entertainment reporter where he covered the New York and Tribeca Film Festivals and interviewed many celebrities such as Antonio Banderas, Edgar Ramirez and Benedict Cumberbatch. He currently freelances for Remezcla.

He holds a Masters in Media Management from the New School and a Bachelor’s in Film Production and Italian studies from Hofstra University.